Photo Credit: Stellenbosch Football Club
Group A
CS Constantine (ALG) vs Simba SC (TZA)- Constantine, Algeria
Bravos do Maquis (ANG) vs CS Sfaxien (TUN)- Lubango, Angola
Prolific CS Constantine playmaker Brahim Dib will look to find the net again versus Simba
Photo Credit: CSC- Club Sportif Constantinois
The two winners from the opening round clash in Algeria where CS Constantine will aim to achieve maximum points against Dar es Salaam power Simba SC. CSC earned a scrappy victory away from home at Tunisian club CS Sfaxien and the current holders of the top spot in Algeria's Ligue 1 will fancy their chances against Simba who traditonally struggle away from home in CAF club competitions.
In the other match, Sfaxien will be in Angola searching for a victory against hosts Bravos do Maquis. The Angolan club appear likely to finish last in the group but created some trouble at Simba in their opening match which may indicate a difficult challenge for the Tunisian visitors.
Group B
Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs RS Berkane (MAR)- Durban, South Africa
CD Lunda Sul (ANG) vs Stade Malien (MLI)- Luanda, Angola
Devin Titus and Stellenbosch are eager to make their mark in CAF competition with a win against last season's Confederation Cup runners-up RS Berkane
Photo Credit: Stellenbosch Football Club
Stellenbosch FC made a statement by qualifying to the group stage of CAF club competition for the first time in their brief history and now the emerging South African club can prove their ability with a clash against Morocco's RS Berkane in Durban. There is little margin for error for Stellenbosch after losing their opening match to Stade Malien in Bamako and the Betway Premiership side are coming off a victory at Orlando Pirates in league play.
Stade Malien will be in Angola, always a difficult place to travel to, for their clash with CD Lunda Sul. A club known for their strong defense, Lunda Sul need to find a way to create goals to avoid a difficult campaign and this is the best opportunity to provide optimism to their supporters.
Group C
ASC Jaraaf (SEN) vs USM Alger (ALG)- Dakar, Senegal
Orapa United (BWA) vs ASEC Mimosas (CIV)- Francistown, Botswana
USM Alger coach Nabil Maâloul wants another victory for his club in Senegal
Photo Credit: USM Alger
A young ASC Jaraaf side fell to ASEC Mimosas in their opening match but return to Senegal where they will hope to challenge group favorites USM Alger. The Algerian club thrashed Orapa United at home in their opening match but the humid conditions in Senegal will likely see a much more conservative USMA side on Sunday.
It was a nightmare start in Algeria for Orapa United who sacked head coach Dimitar Pantev following a morale crushing 6-0 defeat to USM Alger. Now another well known African club is next on the fixture list and Orapa will hope to fill the defensive gaps and get off to a better start before dreaming of claiming their first-ever points in CAF club competition. ASEC look far different from the team that reached the Confederation Cup semifinals two seasons ago but can give themselves confidence with a second win in two matches.
Group D
Enyimba (NGA) vs Zamalek (EGY)- Uyo, Nigeria
Black Bulls (MOZ) vs Al Masry (EGY)- Maputo, Mozambique
Nigeria is always a difficult venue for visiting teams and hosts Enyimba are eager to give defending champions Zamalek as hostile reception
Photo Credit: Enyimba FC
Defending Confederation Cup champions Zamalek face a true test in Nigeria where the Cairo giants face off with hosts Enyimba. The Enyimba attack is struggling in both domestic and continental competition but the People's Elephant will surely be energized by the occasion of dueling with the holders. Zamalek coach Jose Gomes says his team are prepared for the challenge and hopes that the supporters have a strong presence to test his team.
Zamalek's fellow Egyptian Premier League club, Al Masry, are in excellent form and appear to be well prepared for a challenging clash against Black Bulls in Mozambique. Masry have not conceded a goal in competitive matches since late September in the qualifying stages of this tournament and deserve their place at the top of the table in the early stages of the Egyptian top flight campaign. However, Black Bulls showed potential in their opener against Zamalek and could pose a substantial challenge.
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